A West African Ghana Fanti Peoples Female Fertility Doll ‘Akuaba’ of Abstract Form with Incised Geometric Decoration to the Reverse of the Head
Holes to the side of the face and top of the head for beads
White inventory no. 208, to base
Late 19th – Early 20th Century
Size: 29cm high, 6cm wide, 4.5cm deep – 11½ ins high, 2½ ins wide, 1¾ ins deep
Provenance:
Ex Private collection of Ernest Ohly, son of William Ohly, Berkeley Galleries. Purchased from Kadishian, July 1966 (in original inventory) Berkeley Galleries, Davies Street, London (closed in 1977)
Thence by descent
Ex Finch and Co, catalogue number 20, item number 50
Ex Private UK collection
cf: Museum für Volkerkunde, Munich, Germany, Inv No: I.1318, for a similar example
The Fanti are grouped in the coastal regions south of Asante territories and are Akan speakers who share Asante traditions and beliefs. ‘Akuaba’ dolls were carried by women on their backs to combat infertility and were dressed and cared for like real babies. After a successful birth they were placed by the household altar and sometimes were later given to daughters as educational toys in preparation for motherhood. ‘Akuaba’ were also worn by expectant mothers so that the baby would be beautiful. The extremely abstract body and the rigid, highly stylised features are said to symbolise the idea that the unborn foetus is not fully grown and so does not yet have a personality. The flat high forehead, joined up curved eyebrows and small breasts and mouth are all Fanti ideals of feminine beauty.
By appointment only.
